Reviewing and Reading books that were free or are free. You see, I finally caved and bought an eReader. Now I find I can't stop reading all the free books offered on the online market. Despite whether or not the book is a good read or not. In this blog I will weed through all books, whether it was amazing or a grammatically sad excuse for a book, because the point in the end is . . . HEY, IT WAS FREE!

Great advice if you’re a fisherman. I wasn’t. I also wasn’t a player. I wasn’t a ‘love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. I wasn’t scared of commitment. That is, until Melissa Cross showed up, stole my heart, and then disappeared with the pieces. It took awhile, but I made a new life for myself, one that didn’t include any part of her. Except, it turned out, it did. Our lives are more connected now than they ever were…and maybe my heart wasn’t as disconnected as I fooled myself into believing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Keep your friends close and your heart closer.”

I always assumed this little pearl of wisdom from my mother meant to treasure the man I fell in love with more than anyone. Until the day I learned that it really meant to hold tight to your heart, because once you gave it away, nothing in the world hurt more than leaving it behind when the relationship had to end. I thought I’d moved on. I thought I’d built a new life that didn’t—couldn’t—include Chris Matthews; until the man I’d never forgotten showed back up in my life. Turns out I must still own a piece of my heart otherwise I never would have been able to feel it shatter all over again. Our lives seemed destined to be aligned, but would there ever come a time when our hearts would as well?

Cassie Grayson doesn’t know how to be a mom. She’s twenty-two and hardly in a position to care for a kid. But when her twelve-year-old nephew is dumped in her lap, she does the only thing she can: she takes him in. Neither of them have it easy as they try to navigate this unknown path. Cassie must deal with her feelings toward her estranged sister and her own rocky childhood growing up in the foster care system. Felix is still reeling from being uprooted from the only life he’s ever known, and he doesn’t connect with his weird, emotionless aunt. The only person who seems to breach the gap between them is Troy Baker, the counselor assigned to Felix. To Troy, Felix and Cassie should be just another case, but they’re not. Something about the hopeless duo captures his heart, and in spite of his hesitation he finds himself falling for both of them. Felix’s quiet strength is endearing, but it’s Cassie’s determination to not let her nephew down that chips away at his own walls, daring him to more than just help her…but maybe fall in love as well. Can three strangers from completely different worlds create an unlikely family? Or are the hidden holes in their hearts too big to heal?

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EXCERPT

Chapter 2:(Felix)

Cancer was eating my mother alive. They should have just said that, because it was the truth. Mom used to be like the sun— bright and vibrant, shining with a warmth you couldn’t escape from, even if you were in a bad mood.

Now she was a soft glow. Her heart was still big and beautiful, but she didn’t have the energy to beam anymore.

She spent the first year denying it. Swearing that chemo and radiation and operations would cure her. They did for a while, but the cancer always came back, more pissed off than before.

Adjusting her thick glasses, Mom sniffed and gave me a smile.

It was one of her closed-mouth ones, which meant she was doing everything she could to keep it in… to hide the pain. I couldn’t say anything. I just held her hand and stared at her. She’d been making a lot of phone calls lately. She always tried to hide it, but the last couple of days when I arrived after school she was finishing up a call. I wanted to yell at her to stop planning for the future, but I wasn’t stupid. She was getting prepared. I swallowed.The day before, she was saying goodbye to her lawyer as I walked in. I knew it was him because she said, “Thanks so much, Gerry.” And I only knew one Gerry. I didn’t know who she’d just finished talking to, but it’d made her kind of emotional. Usually she told me everything, but something was off. Whoever she told this address to was someone she hadn’t seen in a really long time. I could tell by the jittery way Mom pinched her lower lip into a V shape. She hadn’t told me much about her past. I knew her dad died when she was five and her mom died when she was ten. Then she was put into foster care. I knew she had a sister, but they were separated before I was born. I didn’t know how. I’d never met my Aunt Cassie, so either Mom couldn’t find her or they had some bad blood running between them. I wondered what it’d be like to have a brother or sister. For the last twelve years, it’d been me and Mom. I didn’t mind so much. But when I found out she was going to die for real… I haven’t stopped feeling lonely since. When she went, I was gonna have no one, and I’d be an idiot to try and pretend like that didn’t scare the crap out of me. Mom wouldn’t tell me what foster care was like. I asked once, and her skin went so white I thought she was going to pass out. She managed to stutter that it was tough and she didn’t like to dwell on it— whatever the hell that meant. I never asked her again, but I hoped my time in the system would be better than hers. The system. I shuddered, imagining how awful it was going to be. “Are you okay?” Mom squeezed my hand. “Do you need a drink or something to eat?” I shook my head, trying to hide what I’d been thinking. “Nah, I’m good.” She gazed at me then, her hazel eyes starting to glimmer. “You know what you do need to do?” “What?” “Smile.” She touched my cheek, forcing my mouth up at the side. I couldn’t do it. How was I supposed to smile when all I felt like doing was crying? “Remember how lucky we are, baby.” Mom’s voice shook with conviction. “Promise you’ll never forget it. Never stop being grateful for what you have. No matter where you go or what you end up doing with your life, there’s goodness in everything. Even if it’s just the smallest spark, I want you to find it.” I’d heard the speech so many times before, but I couldn’t roll my eyes like I wanted to. I just stared at her and promised, “I will, Mom.”

Some things you expect in the spring in Crimson Cove, and others you don't.

The five girls have come to expect it all over the course of the eight months, but when a woman in black starts haunting their footsteps not one of them is prepared for the tidings she brings.

Or who she's related to.

But as the residents of our favorite little town start to squirm under the pressure of the mounting numbers of deaths, the girls start to see the pattern in the crimes being committed.

They start to see that no one is safe, because the killer can reach all four of the Crimson corners.

Don't miss the frightening fourth book in The Crimson Cove Mystery Series.

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EXCERPT

Chapter 1:(Sage)

The lights flickered once more and the back handle on the door clicked as Rita jumped in. “Hey!”

We all jumped, gasping.

“What?” she asked, confused and cold.

“Nothing.” I shivered and started the car. “We can’t go to the office. They’ve got it locked up tight and the keys are hidden. Lainey’s dad must be onto us.” I glared at Lindsey. “Someone snoops too much.”

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “We can still go get a coffee and celebrate the sneaking out of the guarded houses. That was a feat. My dad’s team is aggressive, at best. There’s one, his name is like Zander or something. He’s smart. He’s always onto me.” Her eyes darted to the side mirror. “That might have been him in the rearview. He’s good.”

“Fine. Coffee it is. We need to strategize anyway. We need to find Finn.” I put the car into drive and headed for downtown to the coffee bar, which was the most civilized spot for a latte. “Jake’s mom isn’t coming back for Easter,” Lainey muttered, changing the subject. “She’s staying in Italy and his dad’s going there to see her. Jake might have to go too.” “Crazy.” Rita shook her head. “This whole thing is nuts. I can’t believe Jenson’s gone and all those people Andrew killed and Finn’s still missing. It’s been so long, I’m worried—” She paused, not wanting to say it aloud. “Anyway, it’s such a mess. My dad has an army at the house. I literally have to take the servants’ stairs to get Ash in the house and out.” She groaned. “I thought my parents were too broke for guards, but I guess not.” I didn't love hearing about my brother sneaking in and out of her house, but I did love that they really liked one another and cared about each other. She was smitten and he was head over heels. It was a nice change from Rachel. “My dad said Sierra’s dad told him that Andrew couldn't have killed Rachel. He was seen too many times right when she died, and with Ashton’s testimony that he saw that guy smashing her in the face, there’s no way it was him. So many people witnessed Andrew at the party and there isn’t a single ounce of evidence pointing to him.” Lainey spoke softly again, “And if it wasn't Hailey that Ash saw, then who?” That made my spine tingle.

It’s been three years since Michael’s death, and life isn’t any easier. The gift bestowed upon me has only grown stronger. I see the dead, everywhere. Those who have remained earthbound are looking for answers, or have messages for their loved ones. That’s what I do. I help resolve those questions, then assist them in crossing over. Lately, I’ve had a recurring nightmare—a guy, badly injured in a car crash. Each time I’ve called out to him, he never answers. I’ve never even seen his face. My mentor, Lucy Crow, believes he’s still alive, and I’m supposed to help him. That my dreams are not just subconscious thoughts; they’re premonitions. For the first time ever, I will leave my reclusive life in Alaska. My best friend Emily is taking me to California for spring break. She thinks it’s time for me to find someone—to start living again. But what I need to find is the answer to my nightmares. Little do I know...my answer will find me.

Cameo Renae was born in San Francisco, raised in Maui, Hawaii, and now resides with her husband and children in Alaska. She's a daydreamer, caffeine and peppermint addict, who loves to laugh, and loves to read to escape reality.

One of her greatest joys is creating fantasy worlds filled with adventure and romance and sharing it with others. It is the love of her family and amazing support of her fans that keeps her going.

One day she hopes to find her own magic wardrobe and ride away on her magical unicorn. Until then...she'll keep writing!

My Thoughts:Unsuspecting But Perfect Fit

Full honesty I'm a huge fan for gentry historical fiction, so obviously by the title I was interested to read about a girl falling into a duchess position. Now this particular novel I've managed to read twice, because it was reprinted through a new romance publisher. As far as I can tell the story is the same except for being cleaned up a bit, but it's basically the original with all its drama intact.

With no prospects, save for being a servant or falling prey to becoming a Lord's mistress, Miranda, is sent away by her ward and father to an old friend. Miranda has the birth title of Lady, but her father's debt left them destitute. Hoping only to be given housing until introductions to a prospective husband can be made, Miranda instead finds herself in a compromising position. The lady of the house is now longer alive and now only the Duke with his rakish brother reside at the manor. The Duke of Haughleigh, Marcus Radwell, finds Miranda to be an inconvenience, but ever the gentleman offers his hand to save her honor. So when Miranda decides to become a proper duchess and the Duke learns to love again, What seemed like a convenient proposal is anything but, especially when someone is set on disrupting their possible happiness.

Overall, nice read. Maybe it was the two times I read it, but I wasn't overly into the book. The drama was there but honestly I was so irritated by the jerk of a brother half the time I wanted the Duke to just throw his butt out and bye-bye problems. Miranda is probably my favorite in the story because she just minds her business and takes names. She may have landed the best title and husband by mere accident, but she goes to work on ensuring she is a Duchess and the manor is fit for a Duke, even if said Duke isn't home. The Duke you may eventually come to like, he has a heart its just locked down, because of past hurt. However, when he does show love to Miranda it's so endearing. So if you are looking a story about a girl finding love after entering a marriage by circumstances and a Duke learning to open his heart on the chance it may be broken for the last time, then try this novel.

My Reading Philosophy

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My Rating Scale:

*Beyond unbearable couldn't even finish the book and I always aim to finish all books. Will be deleting it from my library, not worth being on the market.

0=

*Do not get this book, author needs to keep their day job. Would regret this purchase if I had paid for it. Thanking God it was free, but realizing why it was free.

1=

*Book needs help, there could be something but way too much needs fixing. Definitely happy I got it for free would have asked for refund if I had bought it.

2=

*Storyline or concept is worth while, but author needs plot guidance and spellcheck. Might rent if bored but would not buy if given the option.

3=

*Simple read not wowed by the story, but not complaining too much. Most likely to rent or wait till free before buying, because there may be too many issue with grammar and perspective or plot and character development to give it a higher rating.

4=

*Good read but Plot needs something more or it has one too many literature issues. Might buy the book and will recommend, but may not need to re-read it.

5=

*Amazing absolutely great book worth buying with no regrets! If it's a series will buy up all the books too. Definitely the apex of all books with great plot, characters, and message.

2017 Reading Challenge

My Goodreads Bookshelf

Blog Schedule

"Tour Blitz Posts" (occasionally posted throughout the month on various days) - features Book Blitz and Book Tours with Reviews or Excerpts.

"Miscellaneous Monday" (posted on the 3rd Monday of the month) - features any books which don't fit any specific genre or is in an under popularized genre.

"Y.A or N.A. Tuesdays"(posted on the 4th Tuesday of the month) - will feature any books associated in those Young Adult or New Adult genres.

"Wednesday Wondering & Wanderings"(posted on the 1st Wednesday of the month) - will be about a trip or event I went on that week or just about something brought to remembrance from an occasion during the week. Could be book associated, or not.

"Romance Thursdays"(posted on the 2nd Thursday of the month) - covers Chick lit and Rom-Coms, anything in those genres that aren't labeled anything more specific.

"Friday Favs"(posted on the 4th Friday of the month) - features books I bought that are currently trending or are my personal favorite free read finds that I've read years ago and have followed the series or author since then.

"Classic Literature Review"(posted on the 1st Saturday of the month) - reviewing classic literature novels from authors of past century till present. Basically any books that are listed for the AP Lit. exam from high school.

"Spotlight Saturdays"(posted on the 3rd Saturday of the month) - highlighting authors, book series, with interviews, and post special blog announcements.

Sundaysand God saidRESTso I shall too.

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